By Disabled World - 2008-10-20
Find more articles like this in our American Health and Disability News category.
Mark Lever, chief executive of The National Autistic Society (UK) said; The National Autistic Society is delighted to see that autism is high up on the US political agenda.
The presidential debate has done much to put autism in the spotlight and raise awareness of the challenges facing people with autism and their families. Increasing understanding of this complex disability is the first step to ensuring people with autism can enjoy the same rights and freedoms as everyone else.
Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition and without the right support, it can have a profound and sometimes devastating effect on individuals and families. Current provision for the over half a million people with autism in the UK is woefully inadequate given the scale of the need and in the face of increased diagnoses, the call for services and support becomes ever more pressing.
It is absolutely crucial that Government ensure that education, health and social services are adequately funded and that all professionals are appropriately trained in order to meet the needs of those living with autism and their families. The right support at the right time could make a huge difference. Full text of the Presidential Debate
In Other U.S. Health and Disability News
Illinois workers who have disabilities can enter the workforce without worrying about losing their medical coverage, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Sunday.
As part of Disability Employment Awareness Month, the governor encouraged people who have disabilities to apply for the Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The program is meant to help people with disabilities maintain affordable and comprehensive healthcare benefits while they work. Disability advocates have long noted that returning to work is difficult for people with disabilities who worry about going back to work at the expense of losing healthcare coverage because private insurance can be difficult or impossible to obtain. To find out if they are eligible, workers can call the toll-free information hotline at (800) 226-0768, via TTY at (866) 675-8440, or visit www.hbwdillinois.com
Most people recognize the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination based on disability. But now, business owners need to familiarize themselves with the amended act, which will primarily broaden the ADA’s coverage and allow more people to be defined as disabled. The amendments act provisions take effect Jan. 1, which means employers need to be prepared so they will know when and how to meet those reasonable accommodation requests.
Fort Scott High School students with special needs took part in Disability Mentoring Day on Oct. 14. Juniors and seniors from Fort Scott High School spent time with local businesses to learn about career, training and educational opportunities in the area. The businesses participating were Tri Valley, Wal-Mart, Woods, Shepherd Team Motors, Fort Scott Community College and Medical Lodge. The goal for Disability Mentoring Day is geared toward the promotion of career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on experience and job shadowing.
The state auditor has found no evidence of impropriety by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and is suspending further work on an audit ordered by the Legislature, concluding the agency is adequately monitored already by the federal government and courts.
Health and Disability News for US Seniors:
Iowa seniors from across Iowa's 4th Congressional District were announced today as part of the Seniors for Tom Latham Coalition Team. The members of the coalition join thousands of others from across Iowa's Fourth Congressional District that are supporting the trusted leadership of Tom Latham on senior issues that include the protection and improvement of Social Security, Medicare, health care, and trusted experience on taxes and the economy. "Iowa seniors know that Tom Latham is working hard, and looking out, for them and their well being especially during these troubling economic times," said Story City resident Loretta Parker - Co-Chair of the Seniors for Latham team. "Seniors look to Tom Latham as a trusted leader with his work on protecting and improving Social Security and Medicare, increasing access to quality affordable health care for Iowans at all stages of life, and he is fighting and standing up for the taxpayer on Iowa Main Street and working for common sense for economic policies that protect our hard earned savings during our golden years."
In addition to his strong record of accomplishments for Iowa seniors, Latham was one of the first Iowa lawmakers to endorse and sign onto the important Divided We Fail pledge to ensure that all Americans have peace of mind about their long-term financial security and access to quality affordable health care. Divided We Fail is a nationwide initiative organized by the AARP, the Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Service Employees International Union. Latham signed the pledge this summer at an Ames senior living facility surrounded by residents of the home to show that he stands with Iowa seniors to continue his longstanding commitment and work to accomplish health care and financial security for all Americans. Additional information about Tom Latham and his trusted leadership on behalf of seniors and all Iowans can be found at the Latham for Congress website located at: TomLatham.com
HearAtLast, a Nevada-based chain of hearing outlets specializing in the sale of digital hearing aids and testing services, has opened a new location in the Wal-Mart store on Tecumseh Road East. The company sells a selection of brand name hearing aids and also offers free screening tests, clinical hearing tests, earbuds and assistive listening devices. There's also a HearAtLast location at 3120 Dougall Ave.
STAMFORD - Senior citizens, veterans and disabled residents with incomes up to $120,000 a year now qualify for property tax relief. City lawmakers voted nearly unanimously this month to raise the income limits for property tax abatement for seniors and the disabled and increase tax exemptions for veterans. The limits are now $100,000 for single people and $120,000 for married couples or members of civil unions. The previous tax relief amounts were $85,000 and $100,000, respectively. http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/localnews/ci_10759384
Coming Events:
On Wednesday, October 22, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Community Connections, and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will host the tenth-annual Disability Mentoring Day in Ketchikan. This national AAPD program is officially commemorated during the month of October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Disability Mentoring Day is designed to provide students and job- seekers with disabilities a firsthand experience in learning about career opportunities in a variety of their chosen fields. Disability Mentoring Day helps to promote the importance of encouraging these students and job-seekers to develop the necessary skills and experiences to compete in today's competitive workforce. For many people with disabilities, their past participation in Disability Mentoring Day has resulted in ongoing relationships, internships, and firm job offers.
In recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Aberdeen Proving Ground agencies will sponsor a career expo for people with disabilities from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Recreation Center, Building 3326 on Erie Street. Employers hiring for a variety of positions include 1st Choice Staffing and Consulting, APG Federal Credit Union, the Department of Homeland Security, Dynamic Science Inc., Harford County government, Northrop Grumman, Rite Aid Corp., Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake Inc., Montgomery County police and the Veterans Administration Maryland Health Care System. Job seekers should dress professionally, take copies of their resume for employers and be prepared to complete applications and an interview. Sign language interpreters will be available. The expo is open to the public. All nongovernment ID card holders must enter the Proving Ground through the Route 715 gate, provide a photo ID and vehicle registration. Information: 410-278-9669.
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